The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-12-15
WASHINGTON NOTES.
THE WEST VIRGINIA CASE.

WASHINGTON, December 13.-The senate
committee on privileges and elections
held meeting this morning to consider
the Faulkner-Lucas contested election
case, from West Virginia. Senator Lucas
addressed the committee, which took
recess at IL O'Clock. Mr.. Faulkner was
heard this afternoon.
PosTMAsTERs' CONVENTION.
WASHINGTON, December 13. The second
national convention of third and fourth
class postmasters of the United States
met here this morning. About $50 post
masters were present, representing
twenty-three states. A permaRent organi-
cation was effected by the election of the
following oficers
Chairman-Hon. Robert Wight, of
Michigan.
Secretary--Thos. G. Brady, of West
Virginia.
Assistant secretaries-J. s. Herzog, of
Iowa, and I. A. Winchell, of Iowa.
vice-president was elected from each
state represented. One of the principal
objects of the convention is to obtain the
passage of bill by congress increasing
and equalizing, upon q basis of work
performed, the compensation of third and
fourth, class postmasters.
FAvoRABLY REPORTED.
WASHINGTON, December 49, The senate
commission on privileges and elections
has decided unanimously to seat Senator
Faulkner, of West Virginia.
swENsoN's SUGAR PATENT.
WASHINGTON, December 13.-In response
to resolution of inquiry, the committee
of agriculture, to-day, sent a communica-
tion to the senate stating that patent
had been granted to Prof. Swenson for
improvement in the diffusion process of
making sugar, which improvement the
commissioner believes was discovered by
Prof. Swenson, while in the government
employ, while making experiments with
the peoples money for the benefit of the
people. He had protested to the commits
sioner of patents against granting the
patent but was Informed that the patent
had been already granted.
The commissioner further says he has
suggested to the attorney-general that
suit be instituted to perpetually enjoin
Prof. Swenson from making use of his
patent.
INTERSTATE COMMERCE..
WASHINGTON, December 13.-The bill in
troduced by Senator Cuilom to-day, to
amend the interstate commerce bill, en-
bodies the most important suggestions
that have been made for the correction
of the defeats of the laws, including re-
commentators of the commissioners.
The amendments are voluminous and in
minute legal form. The senator proposes
to make the law apply to all express com
panies, sleeping car companies, palace car
companies, stock car companies, tank car
companies, and any other companies, as
sociations or persons furnishing for pub
lie use upon railroad cars or other instru-
mentalities for transportation of persons
or property.
He also proposes to prohibit pooling
between railroads and other carriers, as
we'll as between railroads.
In the section in relation to the publi-
cation of rates, the senator proposes to
repeal the provisions of the present law
in regard to advances and reductions in
rates, and make them apply to joint
through rates and short haul.
The provision is also made to apply
specifically to joint through rates. 1t is
also proposed to authorize the commits
sion to prescribe the form in which all
rates shall be printed for public inspcc-
tion.
A change is also proposed in the section
relating to the award of damages by the
commission, 30 as to better provide for
the enforcement of the finding of the
commission in such cases.
1t is also proposed to make the COM
mission Independent of the interior de-
partment, as recommended by Secretary
Lamar in his recent report, and few
other verbal and unimportant changes are
suggested.